U.S. 'deeply concerned' about citizens held in North Korea, including Newman

(CNN) -- The U.S. government pleaded Saturday for North Korean authorities to release 85-year-old Merrill Newman, with a spokeswoman saying officials are "deeply concerned" about him and another American being held in the isolated East Asian nation.

"Given Mr. Newman's advanced age and health conditions, we urge (North Korea) to release Mr. Newman so he may return home and reunite with his family," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden.

Washington's plea came on the day North Korean state media released print stories and video showing what they called Newman's "apology." University of California, Berkeley professor Steven Weber characterized it as "highly scripted political theater."

So how did an elderly retired financial consultant and Korean War veteran become the central figure in an international dispute? Why is there such animosity still tied to a conflict, the...

I hope they "pleaded" with Communist China, to tug on the chain of their mad dog, North Korea, which may be the only way to get any response out of North Korea, Oh, World Watch List 2013 - The Top 10 Persecut[ing] Countries. It's no surprise that North Korea is on top of the list, and the only one of the top 10 that isn't Muhammadan